OUR CLAIRE IS GETTING MARRIED! We knew it was going to be soon because she was hoping that they would be able to get married next summer. Justin proposed a couple of months ago, and I screamed when I found out! So we immediately started planning for their engagement shoot. The best part about them, is that they pretty much trust me with whatever I suggest. So when I said “Let’s go to Dollywood!”, they hesitated, and then said “ok”. Of course, they made me promise that I would avoid any possible sign that we were at Dollywood. I’m so in love with these pictures, I can’t hardly stand it!

I shot Daniel and Laura’s wedding this weekend. I was really excited about this day because I had such a great time with them during their engagement session. I haven’t posted any from Laura’s bridal session because she requested that I keep them hidden from her guests and Daniel. I will get some of my favorites together and get those up soon.

Daniel and Laura are such a fun couple. They enjoy each other so much, it’s really hard to take a bad picture of them. I was so happy to be able to share this day with them.

This is one of the best jumping pictures I’ve ever gotten. Look at the commitment!

I love this moment between Laura and her Dad

What’s with that face?!

We were really crunched for time, so instead of doing all of the pictures of Daniel and Laura at the church, we went back to Boopaws house and took our time with the incredible fall light. I loved having that freedom after we got away from the stress of the wedding day schedule. To my future brides, I do my best work when I’m given a little bit of freedom. Even though I was still trying to get done so they could start their honeymoon, it was still much more relaxed knowing that there weren’t people waiting on us anymore.

Boopaw asked that I get a picture of Laura and Daniel being blessed by the daytime moon.

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The question that I get asked the most is “Are you shooting your sister’s wedding?” The answer is NO NO NO!!!! I want to be a bridesmaid, a guest, I want to eat, drink, dance, visit, and BE photographed. I don’t want to worry about getting the shot and working my tail off and not enjoying our friends and family. So then the next question is “Well then who is?” We went through some options of people I know and then they did some research on their own. They gave me a list of people to check out and then I gave them a shorter list of the people who’s work impressed me. A guy named Frank Gibson in Atlanta is the one who got the job! Of course I won’t be able to go the entire day without taking a picture, so I will have my camera with me to catch things as they happen and details and such. I won’t be shooting over Frank’s shoulder and stealing his ideas, but I will get the chance to not be the primary camera person in charge.

Anyway, they just did their engagement pictures up at Big Canoe. Here’s a link to the finished products, www.pictage.com/347091 with the event key “low”.

I’m going to be coming up to Nashville for a great workshop that The Mclellans are hosting at the end of the month. There are 3 of us coming up from Knoxville and we were hoping to have a “trash the dress” session with one of the photographers former brides. IT FELL THROUGH! So, if you have been a bride or have a wedding dress and you wouldn’t mind being tossed in some water somewhere, let me know! We’ll be coming up on Sunday October 28. There will be at least 3 photographers, so you’ll get lots of great pictures.

If you’re a photographer and your interested in this great workshop we’re going to, there are still spots available. Like I said, The Mclellans are hosting it, but we’re all getting together to meet and shoot with David Beckstead. He’s an amazing photographer and extremely celebrated. We’ll have 2 shoots on Monday and then we’ll critique with David on Tuesday. It will be a great time to ask him questions and pick his brain. He’s made a great career and he’s someone that everyone can learn something from. If you’re interested in joining us, contact Melanie Mclellan at mel@mclellanstudio.com.